NEWS: Black History Month 2026 at DNJRJR

"Black History Month Design" by Marina Shemesh (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Welcome to Black History Month at the Diocese of New Jersey Racial Justice Review! To honor Black history this month, every day of February the DNJRJR will be sharing a Diocese of New Jersey Black history post on our Facebook page. Follow the page to make sure you don’t miss any (because let’s be honest, the algorithms don't really help)!

 

Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski, Ph.D.

Reparations Commission Historian

Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey

JOHN N. STILL’S CALL TO RESIST THE FUGITIVE SLAVE ACT

Detail of “The National Colored Convention…” (by Theo. R. Davis, Harpers Weekly [2/6/1869]: 65.)

The New York State "Convention of Colored People" met in July of 1851, and among the important orders of business was addressing the recently passed Fugitive Slave Act. A committee of three was assigned to report on the Act and recommended measures. Among them was John N. Still, a well-known businessman and activist working in Brooklyn. Still would go on shortly after this to become the first Black candidate for the priesthood in the Diocese of New Jersey.[1] The deeply compelling text of the committee report relies on two key authoritative sources: the Christian scriptures and the national founding documents. The committee concludes that the Act is unjust both according to the laws of God and to the principles of the Declaration and Constitution. Their report calls all citizens to a campaign of faithful obedience to God and disobedience of the Act. Though Still’s priesthood candidacy was never advanced, and he remained only a candidate for nine straight years (an indication of the racism in the diocese at that time), his influence for abolitionist principles and Black empowerment were clear in his over decade of fruitful ministry in the free Black settlement of Macedonia in Shrewsbury, New Jersey.[2] Below is the full text of the Report[3] of the Committee on the Fugitive Slave Bill. The full published convention proceedings can be found HERE.

 

Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski, Ph.D.

Reparations Commission Historian

Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey

------------

 

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FUGITIVE SLAVE BILL

 

The undersigned appointed a committee to report on the FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW, beg leave to submit the following preamble and resolutions: 

            That we the colored citizens of the State of New-York believing that the dearest rights and liberties, belonging to us as freemen, are fearfully endangered by the Fugitive Slave Law recently enacted by our National Legislature, and having a tender sympathy with our brethren who escape from slavery—being assembled in convention to consider said law—do deliberately and seriously resolve,

1. That this law, in requiring the freemen of the north to deliver up fugitives from slavery to the iniquitous and oppressive bondage from which they have heroically escaped, is in direct and impious opposition to the command of the Supreme Law Giver—a command, like the moral law, obligatory in all ages from its very nature—“Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee; he shall dwell with thee, even among you in that place which he shall choose, in one of thy gates where it liketh him best; thou shalt not oppress him:” That this law, in forbidding men under the penalty of heavy fines and imprisonment to harbor or assist fugitives from slavery, is in direct and impious opposition to those laws of God which command deeds of humanity and mercy;--that in both these respects this law is in direct and impious opposition to the essence and sum of “the law and the prophets,” declared by the divine Redeemer, “all things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them,”—and therefore that no man can, in these respects, obey this law, without palpable and flagrant disobedience to God.

            2. That this law is plainly and essentially opposed to that self-evident truth in the Declaration of Independence by these United States, “that all men are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;” and that no man can approve or obey this law without contradicting this united declaration of the people of this Republic.

            3. That this law directly and palpably violates those fundamental provisions of the Constitution of the United States which secure to “every person” the right of trial by jury, and in cases occurring under the laws of the United States, the right of trial by a Court of the United States, (which a Commissioner under this law is not) and the privilege of the habeas corpus act, and of counsel when accused, and therefore all citizens of the United States are bound by their obligations under the Constitution, not to obey, but to disobey, this law.

            4. That the duties of men towards fugitives from oppression are plain—the duties dictated by humanity and mercy—the bestowment of comfort, sympathy, and needful aid; and we call, therefore, on the inhabitants of the state of New-York to imitate the noble example of the people of New Haven, Ct., who, in the days of the hunted and fugitive judges, who condemned to death an oppressive King of England, obeyed the exhortation of their pious pastor, the reverend John Davenport, founded on the Divine command, [“]Hide the outcast; betray not him that wandereth; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler.”

            5. That we feel ourselves to be weak, needing help; and we earnestly ask of our white friends to give us their aid in our distress, and to show not only in private, but in public, that they have feeling hearts and willing hands.

            6. That we believe that public opinion is the bulwark of all law, and that this ODIOUS and CRUEL LAW will be entirely inoperative, if the moral sense of this community speaks; and therefore we ask of this community, with the voice of our oppressed people, that they will give such an expression of their sentiments respecting this law as will protect this place from the step of the man-hunter, and their homes and hearts from the cries and tears of his victims.

            7. That we are fully determined, here in our places, to wait the issue; to rest our cause upon God, upon the friends of religion and humanity, and upon our own manhood; to bear ourselves so as to prove that we are worthy, not only of liberty, but of the full privileges of citizen, some of which are now denied us; and to surrender life rather than to be taken into slavery.

            8. Resolved, That the fugitive slave law is the law of tyrants.

            9. Resolved, That disobedience to tyrants is obedience to GOD.

            10. Resolved, That we will obey God.

 

AMOS GERRY BEMAN,

JOHN NELSON STILL,

J.P. JOHNSON,

Committee.

---

[1] See Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski, “John N. Still (1815-?), Abolitionist, Businessman, and First Black Candidate for Holy Orders in the Diocese of New Jersey,” DNJRJR (11 November 2025): https://dionj-racialjusticereview.blogspot.com/2025/11/john-n-still-1815-abolitionist.html.

[2] Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski, “The Episcopal Mission at the Free Black Settlement of Macedonia, NJ: 1853-1887,” DNJRJR (26 May 2025): https://dionj-racialjusticereview.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-episcopal-mission-at-free-black.html.

[3] Amos Gerry Beman, John Nelson Still, and J.P. Johnson, “Report of Committee on Fugitive Slave Bill,” in Proceedings of the State Convention of Colored People, Held at Albany, New-York, on the 22d, 23d and 24^th of July, 1851 (Albany: Charles Van Benthuysen, Printer, 1851), 29-30: https://omeka.coloredconventions.org/items/show/235.

EVENT: Reparations Webinar on NJ Reparations Council Report, January 27, 2026 at 7pm

The Reparations Commission of the Diocese of New Jersey invites you to join us for a webinar on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 7pm titled “For Such a Time as This: The Nowness of Reparations for Black People in New Jersey.” The webinar is part of our “Journey Toward Reparations” series and will feature a discussion of the New Jersey Reparations Council’s recently released report, presented by Jean-Pierre Brutus, Senior Counsel for the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. Registration is now open. 

Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski, Ph.D.
Reparations Commission Historian
Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey

NEWS: San Francisco Creates Reparations Fund

Brocken Inaglory, San Francisco with two bridges and the low fog, Edited, CC BY-SA 3.0

In another success for reparations advocates, just before Christmas the mayor of San Francisco, Daniel Lurie, signed into law a local ordinance creating a reparative justice fund to address long-standing discrimination toward Black residents. According to recent reporting, the measure was approved unanimously by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and comes on the heels of the release of the “San Francisco Reparations Plan 2023” produced by the San Francisco African American Reparations Advisory Committee and the San Francisco Human Rights Commission (SFHRC). The measure did not specify a total amount for the fund, but will enable contributions from various entities including institutions, individuals, and city funds. The fund will be governed by the SFHRC, and while the ordinance does not specify the fund disbursement recipients, it is expected that it will fund projects proposed in the 2023 report. Subsequent deliberations will determine details the size, nature, and recipients of funds.

Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski, Ph.D.
Reparations Commission Historian
Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey

Endorsements for the book Anglican Slavery in New Jersey

The new book Anglican Slavery in New Jersey: An Initial Accounting, based in part on the research of the Diocese of New Jersey Racial Justice Review, is now widely available for purchase. Here are some of the endorsements:
 
Most Rev. Michael Curry (27^th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church; Author of Love is the Way): “Jolyon Pruszinski’s sobering, well-researched work is timely and much needed today as the church continues to grapple with its part in the sin of slavery. While we cannot undo the incalculable harm that has been done, the Way of Love to which Jesus calls us impels us to, as the author aptly puts it, do justly, and love mercy, Now.”
 
Rev. Dr. Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook (Professor, Claremont School of Theology; Historiographer of the Episcopal Church; Editor, Anglican and Episcopal History): “This meticulously researched and highly accessible study is a must-read for scholars and a general church readership alike. Pruszinski’s expert and innovative account not only fills a gap in the historiography but also traces the implications of enslavement in the contemporary Episcopal Church. The author’s interpretation of Anglican slavery in New Jersey is nuanced and challenging: the scholarship is expert and evocative. This book is a model for other Anglicans exploring institutional complicity with slavery.”
 
Cn. Annette Buchanan (Chair, The Episcopal Church Foundation; Past President, Union of Black Episcopalians; Co-Convener, Diocese of New Jersey Reparations Commission): “In the Diocese of New Jersey, we were intentional in ensuring that any reparations work was grounded in our comprehensive history as Episcopalians. As our historian, Jolyon fulfilled that mandate with extensive research culminating in this impressive book Anglican Slavery in New Jersey. His clarity of presentation surfaced challenging content which will critically direct our collective repentance, healing, and restitution.”

EVENT: “Charting a Legacy” at St. Thomas’ Chicago

St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Chicago. Image courtesy of St. Thomas.

In addition to the upcoming presentation at the American Historical Association on January 10, 2026, the Reparations Commission historian, Jolyon Pruszinski, will be presenting about the New Jersey work later that day at “Charting a Legacy: African Americans in the Episcopal Church, Past and Present” at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, Chicago. Dr. Pruszinski will be joined by fellow historians Rev. Dr. Valerie Bailey and Rev. Dr. Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook of the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church (HSEC), and Diocese of Chicago anti-racism trainer Rory Dean Smith. St. Thomas’ was the first historically Black Episcopal church in the Chicago area and has a rich history of advocacy. Admission is free. More details about the event can be found on the HSEC website.

NEWS: Diocesan Convention Approves Formation of Reparative Justice Trust

Christ Church, Toms River, Location of the 242nd diocesan convention. 
Image courtesy of Episcopal Asset Map (edited).

The Diocese of New Jersey met for its 242nd diocesan convention on November 22, 2025 at Christ Church, Toms River. At the convention the Reparations Commission of the diocese put forward Resolution 242-5 calling for the creation of a dedicated diocesan trust for reparative justice and board of overseers. The resolution also called for the board to produce recommendations by the next convention of sources of funds to populate the trust, the target size for the fund, and additional necessary non-financial reparative actions. In spite of warnings from detractors that the diocese was not ready for such an action and would reject the resolution, we are delighted to report that it passed with near unanimous (over 95%) affirmation. Below are appended the text of the Resolution as passed and attendant published supporting documentation:

-----------------------------------

From “Resolutions Passed at the 242^nd Convention of the Diocese of New Jersey” (page 19):

COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTION 242-5 

 

Be it resolved, That the 242nd Convention of the Diocese of New Jersey direct Diocesan Council to establish a restricted trust fund for reparative justice to support Historically Black congregations harmed by practices of slavery and disadvantaged conditions resulting from slavery and centuries of systemic racism, to be designated as the Reparative Justice Trust Fund; and be it 

Further resolved, That the Bishop of New Jersey, in consultation with the Co-Chairs of the Reparations Commission and the Canon for Black Ministries, appoint a standing Reparative Justice Financial Board of not less than twelve members, to be composed of representative current members of the Reparations Commission, the Trustees of Church Properties, the trustees of the Diocesan Investment Trust, the Diocesan Council, the Standing Committee, and the Commission on Black Ministries, with the following terms of office: 

·       of those initially appointed, one third shall be given one-year terms, one third two-year terms, and one third three-year terms 

·       subsequent appointments shall be for 3-year terms, subject to reappointment, and provided that their successors shall be appointed from the then current membership of the Diocesan body from which the retiring member was appointed 

·       the Bishop shall appoint a Chair and any other officers of the Board from among its members; and be it 

 

Further resolved, That the Reparative Justice Financial Board identify sources of initial funds and procedures for contribution of additional funds that include contributions from organizations and individuals and, once such fund is established, be responsible for the granting and disbursement of funds to Historically Black Churches; and be it 

 

Further resolved, That the Reparations Commission work with the Bishop, Diocesan Staff, Diocesan Council, the Standing Committee, and other relevant persons to support transformative changes in processes and structures that need addressing beyond monetary compensation; and be it

Further resolved, That the Reparative Justice Financial Board report to the 243rd Diocesan Convention and annually thereafter with details on the target size, funding sources, and administration of the Reparative Justice Trust Fund. 

-----------------------------------

From “2025 Preliminary Report of the Committee on Resolutions” (pages 11-12):

Statement in Support of Resolution 242-5 by Proposers:

 

This resolution is an exercise in truth-telling done in the memory of the Christ who stands with the victims throughout history. The Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas asserts that reparations confirm our commitment as a Eucharistic community to anamnesis, remembering and celebrating the sacrificial love and solidarity of Jesus. The anamnestic truth-telling of this resolution “confronts the ways in which the past remains alive in the present, thus paving the way to right the present by exonerating it from contemporary vestiges of the past.” (Kelly Brown Douglas) 

 

The Reparations Commission of the Diocese of New Jersey has investigated the financial health of the Historically Black Churches (HBCs) and has also asked the church leaders what pressing challenges reparatory funds could address. The Commission proposes this resolution as a faithful and necessary step to acknowledge and address historic and ongoing harms caused by slavery and systemic racism. 

 

For centuries, HBCs in this Diocese have endured deep and compounding injustices. These com- munities have shown extraordinary resilience, faith, and leadership despite being materially and structurally disadvantaged by policies and practices rooted in white supremacy. This resolution seeks not only to offer financial redress but to affirm the dignity, contributions, and futures of these congregations. 

 

A recent survey of HBCs shows the following initiatives that could be addressed using reparative resources: 

·       Redevelopment of Property: The survey revealed that parishes have creative solutions to use large properties for the service of mission (i.e., community centers, affordable housing); 

·       Building Maintenance and Facility Upgrades: Parishes desire to make significant upgrades to ensure accessibility, improve space usage for hospitality, and implement state-of-the-art technology; 

·       Mission and Outreach: Parishes express hopes of expanding outreach efforts and partnerships with other community organizations, schools, and institutions to address systemic issues; 

·       Promote Spiritual Formation: The survey highlights that parishes wish to offer a broader range of faith formation. While there would be a focus on youth, programs would serve multi-generations; 

·       Expand Staff and Membership: A primary way is to ensure funding for dedicated clergy and to bolster parish support staff. The parishes were honest about the need to augment membership. 

 

A Reparative Justice Trust Fund represents a meaningful initial and ongoing commitment. This action aligns with our baptismal covenant to “strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being.” It acknowledges our shared history while moving us closer to a more equitable and faithful future. 

 

The creation of a Reparative Justice Financial Board by the Bishop of New Jersey will ensure transparency, equity, and accountability in the stewardship of these funds. We encourage the Board to review a wide range of sources including a percentage of existing trust funds, a portion of the sale of new properties, and organizational or individual bequests. Furthermore, we affirm the critical role of the Reparations Commission in collaborating with diocesan leadership to address systemic change beyond monetary compensation, including how we structure ministry, share leadership, develop leaders for lay and ordained ministry, and uphold justice throughout the Diocese. This resolution is about truth-telling, healing, and transformation. Reparations are not about guilt but about responsibility. We take this step as followers of Christ, committed to the Gospel’s call to repair what is broken. 

-----------------------------------

Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski, Ph.D.

Reparations Commission Historian

Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey